Quarantine

I'm planning on going to buy some clown loaches tomorrow. Well,
probably clown loaches - this is my eldest's choice; we'll look at
the yo-yos and zebra loaches too, and I'll explain the pros and cons,
but in the end, it's his birthday money, so it's up to him.

Anyway - the store we're going to says they quarantine all their
stock for two weeks before selling it. In that case, do most of you
still quarantine after purchase?

If we're going to quarantine, how long would you quarantine for? If
we're doing that, I'll be filling my 60-litre tank tomorrow morning,
and putting in the heater, but I won't move the filter across from
the 125-litre until we get home with the loaches. I know a 60-litre
isn't big enough for three clown loaches long-term, but it would be
adequate for quarantine, wouldn't it?

I've never quarantined anything before - what should I put in a
quarantine tank? I assume gravel - not a problem, I've got spare. I
know clowns like to have hiding-places; should I pick up an extra
rock or two to provide that in the quarantine tank?

Anything else I should know?

--
FishNoob

"FishNoob" wrote in message
...
I'm planning on going to buy some clown loaches tomorrow. Well,
probably clown loaches - this is my eldest's choice; we'll look at
the yo-yos and zebra loaches too, and I'll explain the pros and cons,
but in the end, it's his birthday money, so it's up to him.

Anyway - the store we're going to says they quarantine all their
stock for two weeks before selling it. In that case, do most of you
still quarantine after purchase?

YES!!!! Have you asked to see their quarantine facilities? I never knew a
store to have quarantine tanks for all new arrivals in the back-room
somewhere. They're unboxed and the bags are floated in the tanks until they
have time to open them and release the fish - FOR IMMEDIATE SALE.

If we're going to quarantine, how long would you quarantine for? If
we're doing that, I'll be filling my 60-litre tank tomorrow morning,
and putting in the heater, but I won't move the filter across from
the 125-litre until we get home with the loaches. I know a 60-litre
isn't big enough for three clown loaches long-term, but it would be
adequate for quarantine, wouldn't it?

I quarantine new fish for 14 days, another 7 if I suspect or see some
problem. I know others disagree but while in quarantine I almost always
treat them for parasites using Quick-Cure or Aquari-Sol.

I've never quarantined anything before - what should I put in a
quarantine tank? I assume gravel - not a problem, I've got spare. I
know clowns like to have hiding-places; should I pick up an extra
rock or two to provide that in the quarantine tank?

My Q. tank has gravel and plants plus a few rocks and a small AC filter of
course.

Anything else I should know?

Just watch them closely for flashing or anything unusual.
--

Koi-Lo.... frugal ponding since 1995...
Aquariums since 1952
My Pond & Aquarium Pages:
http://tinyurl.com/9do58
~~~ }((((o ~~~ }{{{{o ~~~ }(((((o

In article ,
lid says...
YES!!!! Have you asked to see their quarantine facilities? I never knew a
store to have quarantine tanks for all new arrivals in the back-room
somewhere. They're unboxed and the bags are floated in the tanks until they
have time to open them and release the fish - FOR IMMEDIATE SALE.

I do actually believe that this store does what they say. They're not
part of a chain, they don't advertise, they're not well-known outside
aquarium-keeper circles - I didn't even know they existed until a few
months after we got an aquarium. The store is not in an expensive
part of town - kind of off the beaten track a bit. They've been
established for many years. They don't have huge neon signs or
anything like that. IOW, they're not some flashy stack-em-high-sell-
em-cheap outlet. They've got a very good reputation - everything I've
heard or read about them has been 100% positive. I've visited the
store twice and found the staff are all very interested and
knowledgeable, and not pushing to sell. They have a wide range in
stock, from tiny shrimp to two-foot-long stuff - all in reasonably-
sized tanks.

That's why I'm going further to buy from them rather than a local pet
shop :-)

So I'm not concerned about them failing to do what they say they do -
I just want to know what I should be doing, given the situation :-)

--
FishNoob

FishNoob wrote:
In article ,
lid says...

YES!!!! Have you asked to see their quarantine facilities? I never knew a
store to have quarantine tanks for all new arrivals in the back-room
somewhere. They're unboxed and the bags are floated in the tanks until they
have time to open them and release the fish - FOR IMMEDIATE SALE.


I do actually believe that this store does what they say. They're not
part of a chain, they don't advertise, they're not well-known outside
aquarium-keeper circles - I didn't even know they existed until a few
months after we got an aquarium. The store is not in an expensive
part of town - kind of off the beaten track a bit. They've been
established for many years. They don't have huge neon signs or
anything like that. IOW, they're not some flashy stack-em-high-sell-
em-cheap outlet. They've got a very good reputation - everything I've
heard or read about them has been 100% positive. I've visited the
store twice and found the staff are all very interested and
knowledgeable, and not pushing to sell. They have a wide range in
stock, from tiny shrimp to two-foot-long stuff - all in reasonably-
sized tanks.

That's why I'm going further to buy from them rather than a local pet
shop :-)

So I'm not concerned about them failing to do what they say they do -
I just want to know what I should be doing, given the situation :-)


One thing, to remember, is that in the UK we have different laws and
regulations not only regarding the sale of livestock but also in terms
of trading standards - you cannot claim to do something that you do
not...so if this place says they QT their fish then they do precisely
that or risk being prosecuted....

Gill

"FishNoob" wrote in message
...
In article ,
lid says...
YES!!!! Have you asked to see their quarantine facilities? I never
knew a
store to have quarantine tanks for all new arrivals in the back-room
somewhere. They're unboxed and the bags are floated in the tanks until
they
have time to open them and release the fish - FOR IMMEDIATE SALE.

I do actually believe that this store does what they say. They're not
part of a chain, they don't advertise, they're not well-known outside
aquarium-keeper circles - I didn't even know they existed until a few
months after we got an aquarium. The store is not in an expensive
part of town - kind of off the beaten track a bit. They've been
established for many years. They don't have huge neon signs or
anything like that. IOW, they're not some flashy stack-em-high-sell-
em-cheap outlet.

You are very fortunate to find a store like that. In my area there are few
non-chain stores and one is so bad I seldom venture inside to see (and
smell) what they have floating in their tanks. :-(

They've got a very good reputation - everything I've
heard or read about them has been 100% positive. I've visited the
store twice and found the staff are all very interested and
knowledgeable, and not pushing to sell. They have a wide range in
stock, from tiny shrimp to two-foot-long stuff - all in reasonably-
sized tanks.

That's why I'm going further to buy from them rather than a local pet
shop :-)

That's an excellent idea.

So I'm not concerned about them failing to do what they say they do -
I just want to know what I should be doing, given the situation :-)

I've had such bad experiences not quarantining that I quarantine everything
from everywhere.
--
Koi-Lo.... frugal ponding since 1995...
Aquariums since 1952
My Pond & Aquarium Pages:
http://tinyurl.com/9do58

~~~ }((((o ~~~ }{{{{o ~~~ }(((((o

I'll second that....My neighborhood fish store is not a chain (closing this
month) a older lady owns it she opened it after she retired for something to
do, and I kind of talked to her the other day about her closing she said she
was not doing to good with business, and I am not the kind of person to say
"hay your store sucks" but I did tell her I had many problems with fish I
bought there, and she said the ones you just got in the last few months (she
said because she has not been as involved) I said no its been all of them.
She said its probably because I don't quarantine my fish I don't have the
room, so there is much more change of disease, she also was very honest in
saying if someone comes in and my tank is blue from being treated they will
not buy fish from me at all, even in the clean tanks, I said I don't know I
would be more likely to because then I know your on top of it instead of
thinking you don't care what you are selling.
she was nice about it
Nikki



"Koi-Lo" wrote in message
...

"FishNoob" wrote in message
...
In article ,
lid says...
YES!!!! Have you asked to see their quarantine facilities? I never
knew a
store to have quarantine tanks for all new arrivals in the back-room
somewhere. They're unboxed and the bags are floated in the tanks until
they
have time to open them and release the fish - FOR IMMEDIATE SALE.

I do actually believe that this store does what they say. They're not
part of a chain, they don't advertise, they're not well-known outside
aquarium-keeper circles - I didn't even know they existed until a few
months after we got an aquarium. The store is not in an expensive
part of town - kind of off the beaten track a bit. They've been
established for many years. They don't have huge neon signs or
anything like that. IOW, they're not some flashy stack-em-high-sell-
em-cheap outlet.

You are very fortunate to find a store like that. In my area there are
few non-chain stores and one is so bad I seldom venture inside to see (and
smell) what they have floating in their tanks. :-(

They've got a very good reputation - everything I've
heard or read about them has been 100% positive. I've visited the
store twice and found the staff are all very interested and
knowledgeable, and not pushing to sell. They have a wide range in
stock, from tiny shrimp to two-foot-long stuff - all in reasonably-
sized tanks.

That's why I'm going further to buy from them rather than a local pet
shop :-)

That's an excellent idea.

So I'm not concerned about them failing to do what they say they do -
I just want to know what I should be doing, given the situation :-)

I've had such bad experiences not quarantining that I quarantine
everything from everywhere.
--
Koi-Lo.... frugal ponding since 1995...
Aquariums since 1952
My Pond & Aquarium Pages:
http://tinyurl.com/9do58

~~~ }((((o ~~~ }{{{{o ~~~ }(((((o

"Nikki" wrote in message
...
I'll second that....My neighborhood fish store is not a chain (closing
this month) a older lady owns it she opened it after she retired for
something to do, and I kind of talked to her the other day about her
closing she said she was not doing to good with business,

My nearest town had several mom & pop pet shops try to make a go of it over
the years. Most of these stores did take good care of the fish, medicate
them, guarantee them etc. but people would not pay the prices they had to
charge to stay in business. The average Joe Blow went to *you know where*
to get fish for 1/3rd less the price the private stores had to charge.
Never mind they were sick and diseased, they were CHEAP! All these M&Ps
closed in less than 2 years. One only lasted about 6 months. However we
now have a brand spanking new PetSupermarket and they're thriving! The fish
are selling as fast as she gets them in (several older women run the place).

and I am not the kind of person to say
"hay your store sucks" but I did tell her I had many problems with fish I
bought there, and she said the ones you just got in the last few months
(she said because she has not been as involved) I said no its been all of
them. She said its probably because I don't quarantine my fish I don't
have the room, so there is much more change of disease, she also was very
honest in saying if someone comes in and my tank is blue from being
treated they will not buy fish from me at all,

But there are colorless medications such as Aquari-Sol that no one would
know was in the water. How could she not know that? The wholesalers could
have told her what to use that works and is invisible. I think some people
just don't have enough knowledge to make a go of these pet stores. That
real bad place I mention here stays in business because they sell other pets
besides fish. I wish they'd just concentrate on the birds and small animals
and get rid of all their diseased tanks of fish.

even in the clean tanks, I said I don't know I
would be more likely to because then I know your on top of it instead of
thinking you don't care what you are selling.
she was nice about it
Nikki
--
Koi-Lo.... frugal ponding since 1995...
Aquariums since 1952
My Pond & Aquarium Pages:
http://tinyurl.com/9do58
~~~ }((((o ~~~ }{{{{o ~~~ }(((((o

FishNoob wrote:
I'm planning on going to buy some clown loaches tomorrow. Well,
probably clown loaches - this is my eldest's choice; we'll look at
the yo-yos and zebra loaches too, and I'll explain the pros and cons,
but in the end, it's his birthday money, so it's up to him.

Anyway - the store we're going to says they quarantine all their
stock for two weeks before selling it. In that case, do most of you
still quarantine after purchase?

If we're going to quarantine, how long would you quarantine for? If
we're doing that, I'll be filling my 60-litre tank tomorrow morning,
and putting in the heater, but I won't move the filter across from
the 125-litre until we get home with the loaches. I know a 60-litre
isn't big enough for three clown loaches long-term, but it would be
adequate for quarantine, wouldn't it?

I've never quarantined anything before - what should I put in a
quarantine tank? I assume gravel - not a problem, I've got spare. I
know clowns like to have hiding-places; should I pick up an extra
rock or two to provide that in the quarantine tank?

Anything else I should know?


My experience is that in the UK (and you are in UK or Ireland aren't you
if I remember correctly?), they don't QT as such but keep them off sale
for a period of time to make sure that there are no obvious problems and
the fish acclimatise to the local water conditions - usually around a
week...maybe not all places do this but the ones I use do, and it sounds
like you have the same sort of thing in place...

With Clowns I never buy them straight afer they go on sale - I tend to
pay a few trips and check them each time before plunging in...if they've
been in the shop for a few weeks, which is very stressful for them, with
no obvious signs of ich/white spot I will buy them - I've adopted this
policy after losing a number of newly purchased Clowns to Ich....If they
have even one white spot don't buy any of them...

Right now, I have 4 Clown Loaches in QT...it is a normally set up tank -
plants, gravel and driftwood for them to hide under - it is 15 gall...it
also contains other fish - but experience has shown me that Clowns also
benefit from "dither fish" when settling in...3 have been in there for
around 5 weeks - although shy they seem fine - the other has been in
there around 6 days (bought from the same supplier and the same batch of
fish - he had just grown bigger and I couldn't resist). The fish will
move into their permanent home over the next few days...

The reason I am doing this is because it is a lot easier to treat a
small tank for ich than the larger community tank....and theoratically
easier to spot ich - however mine are so good at hiding it makes this a
little harder...

So give it a go, make sure there are plenty of hiding spaces for them
and keep any eye on them for at least a couple of weeks. Also ensure the
water quality is spot on as I've noticed sensitivity to even the
smallest trace of nitrites...

Good luck

Gill

In article ,
says...
My experience is that in the UK (and you are in UK or Ireland aren't you
if I remember correctly?),

Yes, that's right - Northern Ireland.

they don't QT as such but keep them off sale
for a period of time to make sure that there are no obvious problems and
the fish acclimatise to the local water conditions - usually around a
week...maybe not all places do this but the ones I use do, and it sounds
like you have the same sort of thing in place...

I'll ask them tomorrow exactly what they do. Their website (such as
it is - one page on the local yellow-pages-style site) states that
they quarantine all their stock for two weeks.

Right now, I have 4 Clown Loaches in QT...it is a normally set up tank -
plants, gravel and driftwood for them to hide under - it is 15 gall...it
also contains other fish - but experience has shown me that Clowns also
benefit from "dither fish" when settling in...

What are "dither fish"?

So give it a go, make sure there are plenty of hiding spaces for them
and keep any eye on them for at least a couple of weeks. Also ensure the
water quality is spot on as I've noticed sensitivity to even the
smallest trace of nitrites...

Thanks, Gill, I'll do that.

--
FishNoob

FishNoob wrote:
In article ,
says...

My experience is that in the UK (and you are in UK or Ireland aren't you
if I remember correctly?),


Yes, that's right - Northern Ireland.


they don't QT as such but keep them off sale
for a period of time to make sure that there are no obvious problems and
the fish acclimatise to the local water conditions - usually around a
week...maybe not all places do this but the ones I use do, and it sounds
like you have the same sort of thing in place...


I'll ask them tomorrow exactly what they do. Their website (such as
it is - one page on the local yellow-pages-style site) states that
they quarantine all their stock for two weeks.


Right now, I have 4 Clown Loaches in QT...it is a normally set up tank -
plants, gravel and driftwood for them to hide under - it is 15 gall...it
also contains other fish - but experience has shown me that Clowns also
benefit from "dither fish" when settling in...


What are "dither fish"?


So give it a go, make sure there are plenty of hiding spaces for them
and keep any eye on them for at least a couple of weeks. Also ensure the
water quality is spot on as I've noticed sensitivity to even the
smallest trace of nitrites...


Thanks, Gill, I'll do that.


Dither fish are fish that are confident and swim around in the
open...IME Clown Fish find comfort in knowing that there are confident,
settled fish with them...